Classic Motorcycle Build

Triumph Bonneville (1959-1983)

Named after the location of countless world speed records, the Triumph Bonneville debuted in 1958, with production starting a year later.
Since that time, it has been manufactured in three generations over three separate production runs.
The Bonneville was, and still is, the best-selling British-twin of all time.

Triumph Bonneville History

In 1937, Triumph introduced the 500cc Parallel Twin.
The two-cylinder, air-cooled OHV motor was an instant success, and would prove to be the definitive British bike engine.
Engine displacement was increased from 500cc to 650cc in 1950.

For 1956, an alloy cylinder head replaced the old iron head, with bigger valves, better flow, and better cooling.
It also allowed for higher compressions to be run.
The new "Delta" alloy head was originally designed for a single carburetor, but a two-carb version was not far away.

Like the existing Tiger T110 model it was based on, the Bonneville T120 was powered by a 650cc parallel-twin, but with two carburetors instead of one.
Along with the pair of 1-3/16" Amal Monobloc carburetors, a high-performance camshaft was fitted.
This extra power was enough to overwhelm the old duplex chassis, and in 1960 the Bonneville received a new twin-cradle frame.

Pre-Unit Bonneville (1959-1962)

Triumph Bonnevilles built from 1959 to 1962 had a separate engine and transmission.
The crankcase, primary case and transmission were all separate components bolted together with brackets in the frame.
These early "pre-unit" Bonnevilles could achieve 115 mph in stock trim.

Unit-Construction Bonneville (1963-1970)

Like Triumph's other 650cc models, the Bonneville switched to unit construction in 1963.
The unit construction made the bike lighter, stiffer, and more compact.
It allowed Triumph to pull even more power out of the Bonneville.

A battery/coil ignition replaced the magneto-style ignition in 1963.
A year later, the Bonneville went from 6 to 12 volts and received upgraded front forks.

Oil-In-Frame Bonneville (1971-1983)

In 1971, all Triumph 650 models received a new frame which held the oil inside its backbone, rather than in a separate oil tank.
Along with the new frame were new front forks, wheels, brakes, and exhaust pipes.

The new "Oil-Bearing Frame" Bonneville was not well-received, and initially did not sell well.
One problem was the drain-pipe of a backbone that was supposed to be filled with oil could only be filled halfway because of foaming problems.
This led to many being filled little more than halfway, creating an inadequate oil supply.

Another problem with the oil-in-frame Bonneville was that it raised the seat height to nearly 33-inches.
This made the bike a little tall for many riders.

1972 Triumph Bonneville

Late in 1972, the Bonneville was upgraded with a five-speed transmission, first as an option and then as standard equipment.
The seat height was lowered two-inches.

1973 Triumph Bonneville

Despite the company's growing financial problems, the 650cc was enlarged to 750cc, also a new ten-bolt cylinder head, and front disc brakes appeared in 1973.
The Bonneville model designation was changed from T120 to T140.

Company Troubles

After the Norton-Villiers company merged with ailing Triumph (forming Norton-Villiers-Triumph), newly appointed chairman Dennis Poore announced the closure of Meriden Works, to be effective February, 1974.
Of the 4,500 employees, 3,000 were to be let go.
This started an 18-month employee strike and the closing of the Meriden factory.
The strike was temporarily lifted in mid-1974, but after talks broke down, resumed in October.

1974 Triumph Bonneville

With production halted early in model year due to employee shut-down, very few Bonnevilles were produced in 1974.
They were essentially the same as 1973 Bonnevilles.

Bonneville production continued in 1975 after workers form a "co-op" to keep the Meriden factory going.
After the last Triumph Trident was built in 1975, the only motorcycle built at Meriden was the T140 Bonneville.

Right-Side to Left-Side Shift

In 1975, federal regulations required all motorcycles sold in America to have standardized left-side shift and right-side brake controls.
Triumph complied with this, as did Bonneville's main competitors, the Norton Commando and the Harley-Davidson Sportster.

Although this was a tough time in Triumph Bonneville history, it continued to be a great motorcycle.
When fitted with the five-speed transmission and front disc brake, it was quick, well-mannered, and had good long-distance comfort.

New cylinder heads and improved Amal MkII carbs were fitted in 1978, and a year later electronic ignition is introduced.
1979 saw the arrival of the T140D Bonneville Special with Lester alloy wheels, siamesed exhaust and blacked-out engine.
Negative-ground electrics and a new alternator were added in anticipation of an electric starter.

Electric-Start Bonneville

The Bonneville finally gets an electric starter, working off the intake cam gear, requiring re-designing the timing cover.
The 1980 ES model was the first with electric start, followed by the Executive model (with hard bags).
A minor change was the rear brake caliper now located above the rear swing-arm.

Triumph Bonneville Royal Limited Edition

Built to commemorate the British royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, the T140LE Royal Wedding was really just an effort to increase sales.
The bike featured allow wheels and a chrome gas tank, and was built in very low numbers.

Triumph Bonneville T140W TSS

Outside engineering firms like Rickman and Westlake had been working on new cylinder heads for the 750cc engine.
Triumph adapted a version of the Westlake setup and offered it as the Bonneville TSS.
The four-valve-per-cylinder head boosted output to 58 horsepower.

The alloy, 8-valve engine, based on the Westlake head, was offered with an optional rubber-mounted frame.
A TSX Custom model featured alloy wheels and high bars.

1983 Triumph Bonneville

Between 1982 and 1983, less than 500 Bonneville TSS models were built. Of these, only 112 were imported to the U.S.
Final Meriden Bonnies were the TSX and rubber-mounted TSS, both with the 8-valve engine.
A 16" rear wheel and decals were added to the TSX Custom.

Original vs Custom Bonneville

A large percentage of original Bonnevilles have been "customized" through the decades.
Their clean lines and simple construction made them ideal for modifications, and many good-intentioned riders built choppers through the seventies, cutting and raking necks and removing/throwing away good factory parts.
This is why, when you stumble across an old bike that's original or not that far off, the best thing to do is restore it right or consider selling it to someone who will.